Released 06/06/2017
The ACT Government is introducing a new Year Seven Health Check for Canberra students to improve the overall health and wellbeing of our young people.
The ACT Government’s 10-Year Health Plan is all about keeping Canberrans healthy through better preventative, primary and community care.
In keeping with the Government’s election promise, Minister for Health and Wellbeing Meegan Fitzharris said the new health checks will serve two purposes – firstly as an individual screening tool to identify students at high risk and secondly, as a tool to report on the health risk factors for ACT youth.
“These new health checks will be an opportunity for early health interventions for students who may benefit from additional support at a point in their lives when learning healthy habits for their future is essential,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“They will also be provide a better understanding of the physical and mental health of young Canberrans.”
This year’s Budget will provide $2.7 million over four years to implement the new Year Seven Health Checks in ACT schools, beginning in 2018-19.
An initial review of school based screening will be carried out in the next financial year, and will inform the implementation of the health checks.
“These health checks will provide another avenue of early intervention to students who are showing early signs of mental and physical health issues,” Minister Fitzharris said.
This will complement the work of our School Youth Nurses, School Psychologists and community services provided in schools, to support a more integrated approach to the wellbeing needs of our students.”
ACT Health will work closely with the education sector on how the health checks will be rolled out to Canberra high schools to complement existing health services provided to this cohort of students through programs, such as the High School Immunisation Program.
- Statement ends -
Meegan Fitzharris, MLA | Media Releases